No backlash from Beijing, Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad says, after he urged Carrie Lam to quit

‘I was asked for my opinion as to what [Lam] should do, and my reply was that she is in a dilemma and she should resign,’ Mahathir says

Hong Kong has endured four months of protests ignited by a now-withdrawn extradition bill

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Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Photo: dpa

Published: 12:36pm, 8 Oct 2019Updated: 9:12pm, 8 Oct 2019

Despite calling for the resignation of Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor as Hong Kong’s chief executive, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said he did not receive any backlash from China.

Mahathir said he only commented on the issue because it was a question from a Hong Kong lawyer during an event.

“I did not want to pass any opinion of what is happening there because I regard it as an internal matter. I was asked for my opinion as to what [Lam] should do, and my reply was that she is in a dilemma and she should resign. That’s all,” Mahathir said.

Pressed by a reporter who asked whether he received any backlash from China over his remarks, Mahathir said “no, nothing”.

Mahathir was speaking to reporters during a press conference at the parliament lobby on Tuesday.

Mahathir’s comments on the ongoing Hong Kong protests were made last week during the opening of Lawasia’s inaugural Constitutional and Rule of Law Conference.

Hong Kong has endured four months of protests ignited by a now-withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed the extradition of its citizens to the Chinese mainland, a move seen by many as oppressing political dissidents.